Dear readers,

Today I come to you with a very heavy heart. Our country has been hit with the largest natural disaster in the history of our country. The quakes of 1906 don't even compare to the loss of life, property, and the cost to the economy. My heart bleeds for those who have suffered and are continuing to suffer in the Central and Southeast.

I have friends who were in New Orleans, Biloxi, and Mobile who have been affected greatly by this. My one friend recently moved to New Orleans fulfilling his lifetime dream. He is a queer writer and a dear friend. He has lost everything due to the hurricane. Thank G-d he heeded the warnings that were first put out last Friday and left the area. He went and stayed with his family who now reside in Indiana. He is safe and sound, but lost everything. Another friend in Biloxi lost not only her home, but her 2 businesses as well. One was home-based, and the other was a retail store. She is an artist and was living very frugally to begin with, now she will be living hand-to-mouth. Thank G-d for insurance. She will rebuild and be stronger because that is the kind of person she is. She lost her partner last year so it's been one hell of a year for her. And finally my friend in Mobile only lost some rental property in the New Orleans and Metairie area. She can rebuild as well.

What cannot be rebuilt is the fear and loss of life that has happened. It doesn't matter if we were ready or not. It does not matter that we should have been prepared and evacuated earlier. What matters is that people need our help now! They need food, water, clothing, shelter, money to buy necessities. We need to do our part, whether it is prayer, monetary donations, blood, or another charitable donation. Think about not only the now, but the future.

I am putting links to different ways to help those in need. Take a moment and give whatever you can. They need your help, so please give it. My salon, My salon retail shop and my GLBT merchandise online store are donating 50% of all our profits to help support GLBT and str8 folk alike. Now is the time to mend the fences and help out ALL in need.

TO HELP OUT NOW


1-800-HELP-NOW

Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund

Red Cross Volunteer and Information

Salvation Army Disaster Relief Donations and Information

Designs By Jase - GLBT Merchandise

The Pampering Prince

The Pampering Princess Online Salon Retail

Rainbow Relief - "Family" helping out other family


Your Editor,

Jase

Jason P. Ruel
Editor, Gay Lesbian